First time expierment, how many cells?

[murse]

First time solar panel expierment! i have put together 36 1.65 watt cells, they are putting out 19.5+-Volts in full sun. I will put two of these together in the same panel. My tempered glass I've found (10 bucks) is too big for that, it would look alot nicer if i put 44 cells in each section. Seems like it would be ok, but i have no clue what i am doing and i will be the first to admit it. Before i get too far and cant go back i thought i should figure it out. I figure it will put out 22-23.5 Volts. Is this ok. I plan on encapsulating with sylgard 184, I made the frame from 1" aluminum angle. I have puchsed enough materials to make several panels and plan on finishing with some added (commercially made) 120w panels (will mine be compatible?), a 440 amp charge controller, 5000 watt pure sine wave inverter, and four 225AH 8D batteries. I am more concerned about the amount of cells immediately, as this is where i am stuck at this point. But, i would love any advice as long as it's constructive. For instance: 12, 24, or 48 volt syestem. Remember I know nothing except what little I have read on the internet so be kind, PLEASE.

[Mike90250]

A 12V lead acid battery, needs about 16V to be properly charged and equalized. 1-2 volts get consumed in the charge controller, that's why a lot of panels are 17-19V max power. If you go higher voltage, you need a MPPT controller to downconvert the voltage to the battery, or else you are just wasteing the higher voltage, and throwing away power.

[murse]

thanks mike i will stick with 32 cells then i hate to waste

[murse]

i meant 36 cells

[MarineLiner]

i meant 36 cells

Could you show the pictures to us here?

[Uechi Kid]

So if I was going to make a 72 cell panel, I should make it as if it was two 36 cell panels.
Assuming that each cell is .5V & 3.6A.

[MarineLiner]

Yes, if you will make it 18v wich is needed to power a 12v charger.
Connect cells by serial:
36 x 0.5v = 18v

then connect 2 panels by parallel:
2 x 3.6A = 7A